BESSARION, Johannes, Cardinal (d.1472)

Lot 114
14.12.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Starting price
£ 4 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 870710
Lot 114 | BESSARION, Johannes, Cardinal (d.1472)
Estimate value
£ 4 000 – 6 000
BESSARION, Johannes, Cardinal (d.1472)

In calumniatorem Platonis Venice: Aldus, 1516.

First augmented Aldine edition of Bessarion’s celebrated defence of Platonism. Bessarion was the leading proponent of Platonism in the major European Renaissance courts, and his polemic against George Trebizond's anti-Platonic attack enabled the publication of Plato's works. The work focuses on Plato as a mathematician, adducing Archimedes in support of the defence. The first part of In calumniatorem Platonis is based on the 1503 edition, while the second part, printed here for the first time, includes Bessarion’s own translation of Aristotle’s Metaphysics. Adams B-834; Graesse I, 353; Panzer VIII, 434; Renouard 77/6.



2 parts in one volume, folio (319 x 215mm). Aldine device on both titles and verso of final blank (small repairs to margin of first title and repair to blank corner of final leaf, two small repairs to final leaf of first part affecting a few letters on recto). Contemporary limp vellum, yapp edges, remains of ties (somewhat soiled, binding splitting from textblock). Provenance: early manuscript numeral to foot of title – early manuscript shelf mark and later shelf label to inside upper cover.





Special notice


No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.12.2022 – 13.12.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

?>